Soundtrack: Castle of Glass, by Linkin Park

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Jason walked into his apartment, taking off his gear as he went. It had been three nights since he had taken down Shade's operation and things were finally starting to calm down in Crime Alley. He left Shade alive, but he had given him a heavy beat down. He served as a message, an example, a reminder, to all the other crime lords and dealers in Gotham. Stay away from Crime Alley, and don't sell to children. It was that simple.

Everything had been fairly calm that evening and it was still early, so Jason had gone to one of his apartments to get a shower and maybe take a short nap. He would head back out later to make sure everything stayed quiet. He was hoping for an uneventful evening, but things didn't usually go according to plan for him. So he was still prepared. Jason began to take off his gear, putting everything its place.

Then as if on cue his phone buzzed, Jason sighed and picked it up.

It was a text from Tim.

"We have an emergency. Get to the Manor ASAP." It read.

And there was the 'not according to plan' part.

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Tim sat on the big living room couch, wearing a pair of comfortable pajamas and drinking a milkshake. Dick was getting the DVD player ready. Damian had gone into the kitchen to get his milkshake, and Alfred was making popcorn. Dick had decided to have a movie night. They had invited the girls but they were busy training with Oracle.

Then there was Jason, both Dick and Tim wanted him to come. They had even picked out a movie they knew he'd like too, but still they doubted he'd agree.

"Did you talk to Jason?" Dick asked, turning around.

"Yeah, I texted him. He should be on his way, I can't guarantee he'll stay, but I got him to come." Tim replied.

Dick raised an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

"Relax, I've got everything under control." Tim assured, confidently.

Dick gave him a skeptical look, then nodded, and took a seat next to him.

Dick's movie night had been a little on the fly, but Tim was going to make sure Jason wasn't left out like he was on their last movie night. Tim didn't like having to outright lie to Jason, but he was hoping once he got here he could convince him to stay. Hopefully he would get a little help from the others.

They hadn't seen him in a few days since their rooftop game, which might increase their chances of getting him to stay. The thing about Jason that the others didn't understand was, he needed time on his own, time to breath.

Get him to come to something, give him space, repeat. It was a cycle Tim was trying to create. Again, grumpy cat.

Damian strode in with his shake and plopped down on the couch as well. The next several minutes where spent waiting for Alfred to bring popcorn and Jason to show up. As they waited Tim and Damian soon started bickering, which escalated in full on shouting.

Dick was sitting in between the two boys, trying to play referee. Then Alfred walked in with two bowls of popcorn on a tray.

"Boys." The butler said firmly and they both quieted down. Everyone respected Alfred.

He handed them the popcorn and began to head back to the kitchen.

Then without warning, Jason came crashing through a large window that was in between the living room area and the kitchen. The sound of the breaking glass cut through the air as the shards spread across the floor. Jason landed on one knee, he was in full gear, his duel pistols in hand.

Tim tensed and Alfred dropped his tray. Damain was already on his feet, a hidden knife in hand, and Dick actually briefly choked on his popcorn.

Everyone was perfectly still for a moment and even though they couldn't see his face, Jason looked very confused. He lowered his guns and stood slowly. Stray bits of glass crunched beneath his feet as he did. He looked around like he didn't know what to do next.

"Master Jason, may I ask the meaning of this?" Alfred was the first to speak, picking up his tray in the process.

"I got a text from Tim, said there was an emergency and to come as soon as possible." Jason stated.

Alfred gave Tim a pointed look.

"And then I got here, I hacked the gate like I normally do. Then I heard shouting. Since Tim said it was emergency, and Bruce being out of town, this all painted a potentially very bad picture. So this....happened." Jason explained, vaguely gesturing to the widow.

"Well, I am going to go fetch a broom, Master Jason, would you please go find something to cover this until I can make an appointment to have it repaired." Alfred replied, with a slight sigh.

Jason nodded, holstering his weapons.

"And next time you want to stop by for a visit, please use the door." Alfred added dryly.

"Will do, Alf." Jason answered, taking off his helmet as well.

"Hey replacement, why don't you come help me find something to cover this." Jason spoke irritably.

Tim froze. "...Sure," he said reluctantly, rising from his seat slowly.

He was never going to hear the end of this.

"I think we might have a tarp in the cave." Tim informed.

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Jason and Tim walked away from the living room and down the halls of the Manor.

"We might have to get a blanket or something as well, to keep the cold air out..." Tim started, but was cut off, because as soon as they were out of earshot Jason punched Tim in the arm. Hard.

"Ow." Tim hissed grabbing his arm and staring at Jason in disbelief.

"What the hell was that? This isn't an emergency!" Jason spoke quietly and angrily.

Tim had disrupted what supposed to be a quiet evening and was indirectly the cause of him breaking one of the Manor windows, which Bruce was gonna be pissed about. Tim usually doesn't just randomly text people and say they there's an emergency, he barely even asks for back up. This kid was up to something and Jason knew it.

"Would you believe me if I said it was an emergency movie night?" Tim replied sheepishly.

Jason shot him a glare and flipped him off. Tim just rolled his eyes, still nursing his arm.

"What are you up to?" Jason questioned.

"Nothing." Tim denied, putting his hands up.

"First you go off on Bruce, and now you lie to me to get me to a movie night of all things. This doesn't add up, you have to be up to something. What do you people want from me?" Jason countered accusingly.

"Alright, the reason I've done all that is because I just...don't want you to be left out anymore," Tim admitted, "Believe it or not, we all care about you, even Damian in his own weird way."

"So that's it, that's what this has all been about?" Jason replied, shocked and still on the skeptical side.

"Yes okay. After everything, you're still here, and it's not fair the way Bruce treats you. I don't know if I'll ever be able to, but I want to try and make it up you. We all do. You might not believe or accept this, but you are our brother and we care." Tim said quietly but firmly.

That was...a lot. Jason wasn't used to someone, anybody putting so much effort into him. It was one thing to say something, it was another to actually do it, to actually try. That was the thing Bruce never got, actions speak louder than words. Jason's first reaction, first instinct, was to assume Tim was lying. Or to keep them all at arm's length, push them away, it was effective and efficient. That way he couldn't get hurt, or hurt them. Because sooner or later he would screw it up and they would regret ever wasting any time on him. That's what always happens, sooner or later, everyone leaves.

At the same time, there he stood, in the Manor. Tim staring at him and everybody acting as if his presence was perfectly natural. He wondered what's it'd be like to try and make it work.

Then he found that voice again, the voice that told him to run, because he knew from experience that this story doesn't end well. The last time he let them get close, the last time he started to believe that they cared, started to trust them, he ended up back in Ethiopia. He ended up with his memory wiped, and ended up being left out of the family portrait.

There was that damn, stupid feeling his chest again. The nagging feeling that told him he should try, try and make it work. That annoying part of him that told him that he missed these assholes. That reluctant part of him that actually gave a crap about them.

"You...you guys really want me around? All off you?" Jason asked in an apprehensive tone.

"Yes, Jay, all of us, Alfred too. No matter what Bruce does, or doesn't do. We miss you." Tim answered, a note of sincerity in his tone.

Jason was quiet for a moment or two.

"Thanks, I guess. I don't really know what to say next, I've never been good at stuff like this." Jason admitted, his voice a mumble.

"How about instead of saying something you just come and watch a movie with us. You'll love it, it's got action and explosions. Plus Alfred has Neapolitan ice cream." Tim cracked a smile.

Great, now they're bribing me with ice cream.

Jason considered it for a moment.

"Okay," he agreed, "but you know, you don't have to include me in everything. Just important stuff." Jason continued, as they began to walk towards the cave again.

"I know, but movie night is very important." Tim countered, with a slight smile.

"Whatever you say, Timbers."

They headed towards the cave, walking by the portrait again. Except this time Jason noticed a distinct difference. In an empty spot on the portrait was sheet of paper, it was a crudely drawn stick figure with a streak in its hair. Above it was the name 'Jason' with an arrow pointing to the figure.

"What is that?" Jason stopped, suppressing a laugh.

"Oh, Dick was still mad at Bruce when he left so he did that. He's making Alfred promise not to take it down until after B gets back." Tim explained.

"That's gonna annoy the crap outta Bruce." Jason said with a laughing snort.

"I appreciate it, but is he five?" Jason laughed a little harder.

Jason didn't always get along with Dick, which had a lot to do with how he had treated him before he died. However, in a weird way Jason did appreciate it.

"Mentally, yes." Tim chuckled as they headed down to the cave, in search of a tarp.
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Damian wasn't sure what had lead him to this point. He wasn't completely sure why he found himself sneaking down to the Bat-cave while the others were fast asleep in the living room. He wasn't sure why he found himself holding a baseball bat.

It all started with Todd, he supposed. They were not the same, but they shared similar experiences. They both had died, and both knew what it was like to be betrayed by a mother. They walked different paths, but in similar shoes.

Ever since that night on the rooftops, an idea had been growing in Damian's mind. He had dismissed it at first, it was drastic and father would be angry.

Damian walked soundlessly through the cave, stopping and fixing his gaze on a glass case engraved with the words 'A Good Soldier.' Within it was Jason Todd's old Robin suit.

Still, Damian couldn't help but wonder how he would have felt if father had done the same thing with his suit even after his resurrection. The way Todd has spoken about it...it was an offense to him. Perhaps it was the inscription, or the fact that it remained up even after his return.

Damian told himself he did not care about Todd, rather he owned him a debt. Damian would never want to be made to revisit the place of his death, but father had done that to Todd. Yet still he had assisted in Damian's resurrection. Yes, he owed him a debt. It was his way of repaying him for his help and the troubles it had caused. Even if father was angry, even if Alfred was angry.

Damian stepped in front of the memorial case and raised the baseball bat. He smirked to himself, because it was a debt he did not mind, nor would he regret, repaying.

He tightened his grip, letting a look of determination settle on his features. He swung hard.